31 1 David delivered from some great danger, first rehearseth what meditation he had by the power of faith, when death was before his eyes, his enemy being ready to take him. 15 Then he affirmeth that the favor of God is always ready to those that fear him. 20 Finally he exhorteth all the faithful to trust in God and to love him, because he preserveth and strengtheneth them, as they may see by his example.
To him that excelleth. A Psalm of David.
1 In (A)thee, O Lord, have I put my trust: let me never be confounded: deliver me in thy [a]righteousness.
2 Bow down thine ear to me: make haste to deliver me: be unto me a strong rock, and an house of defense to save me.
3 For thou art my rock and my fortress: therefore for thy Name’s sake direct me and guide me.
4 Draw me out of the [b]net, that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength.
5 Into thine [c]hand I commend my spirit: for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.
6 I have hated them that give themselves to deceitful vanities: for I [d]trust in the Lord.
7 I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast seen my trouble: thou hast known my soul in adversities,
8 And thou hast not shut me up in the hand of the enemy, but hast set my feet at [e]large.
9 Have mercy upon me, O Lord: for I am in trouble: mine [f]eye, my soul and my belly are consumed with grief.
10 For my life is wasted with heaviness, and my years with mourning: my strength faileth for my pain, and my bones are consumed.
11 I was a [g]reproach among all mine enemies, but specially among my neighbors: and a fear to mine acquaintance, [h]who seeing me in the street, fled from me.
12 I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel.
13 For I have heard the railing of [i]great men: fear was on every side, while they conspired together against me, and consulted to take my life.
14 But I trusted in thee, O Lord: I said, [j]Thou art my God.
15 My [k]times are in thine hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: and save me through thy mercy.
17 Let me not be confounded, O Lord: for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be put to confusion, and to [l]silence in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be made dumb, which cruelly, proudly, and spitefully speak against the righteous.
19 How great is thy goodness, which thou [m]hast laid up for them that fear thee! and done to them that trust in thee, even before the sons of men!
20 Thou dost hide them [n][o]privily in thy presence from the pride of men: thou keepest them secretly in thy Tabernacle from the strife of tongues.
21 Blessed be the Lord: for he hath showed his marvelous kindness toward me in a [p]strong city.
22 Though I said in mine [q]haste, I am cast out of thy sight, yet thou heardest the voice of my prayer, when I cried unto thee.
23 Love ye the Lord all his [r]Saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and rewardeth abundantly the proud doer.
24 All ye that trust in the Lord, be [s]strong, and he shall establish your heart.
Footnotes
- Psalm 31:1 For then God declareth himself just, when he preserveth his according as he hath promised.
- Psalm 31:4 Preserve me from the crafty counsels and subtle practice of mine enemies.
- Psalm 31:5 He desireth God not only to take care for him in this life, but that his soul may be saved after this life.
- Psalm 31:6 This affection ought to be in all God’s children, to hate whatsoever thing is not grounded upon a sure trust in God, as deceitful and vain.
- Psalm 31:8 Largeness signifieth comfort, as straightness, sorrow and peril.
- Psalm 31:9 Meaning, that his sorrow and torment had continued a great while.
- Psalm 31:11 Mine enemies had drawn all men to their part against me, even my chief friends.
- Psalm 31:11 They were afraid to show me any token of friendship.
- Psalm 31:13 They that were in authority, condemned me as a wicked doer.
- Psalm 31:14 I had this testimony of conscience, that thou wouldest defend mine innocence.
- Psalm 31:15 Whatsoever changes come, thou governest them by thy providence.
- Psalm 31:17 Let death destroy them to the intent that they may hurt no more.
- Psalm 31:19 The treasures of God’s mercy are always laid up in store for his children, albeit at all times they do not enjoy them.
- Psalm 31:20 Hebrew, in the secret of thy face.
- Psalm 31:20 That is, in a place where they shall have thy comfort, and be hid safely from the enemies’ pride.
- Psalm 31:21 Meaning, there was no city so strong to preserve him, as the defense of God’s favor.
- Psalm 31:22 And so by my rashness and infidelity deserved to have been forsaken.
- Psalm 31:23 Or, ye that feel his mercies.
- Psalm 31:24 Be constant in your vocation, and God will confirm you with heavenly strength.